By the dawn’s early light, a march in honor of St. Patrick’s got underway.
By Irish Echo Staff
There was a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Manhattan on St. Patrick’s Day – a tiny one by normal standards.
But a parade nevertheless.
Parade organizers in a statement said that the 69th regiment had led the parade for 169 years of its 259 year history, “and continued that unbroken tradition this morning leading a small representative group up 5th Avenue.”
Said the released: At 6.30 a.m. a group of nine individuals (observing social distancing) proudly marched with a small escort from the Fighting 69th regiment from 26th Street to St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan.
“Following a blessing outside St. Patrick's Cathedral, a smaller unit then marched on the sidewalk the entire route to 82nd Street. This was approved by New York City and followed COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. The volunteers wanted to uphold this important NYC tradition in honor of St. Patrick.”
“St. Patrick’s Day Parade Chairman Sean Lane stated: “We wish everyone a very happy and safe St. Patrick’s day. I would like to personally thank the members of the parade committee, 69th regiment, and parade board, who joined our symbolic 259th march today and a special thank you to the NYPD.”
The full parade was cancelled last week due to the Coronavirus crisis along with parades all over the tri-state area, the U.S., Ireland, and elsewhere around the world.
